Whether you are visiting Portugal for an investment immigration inspection or simply for tourism, these Portugal travel tips will assist you with your trip.
The Portuguese Republic (A República Portuguesa) is located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula in Europe. It is bordered by Spain to the east and north, and by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. It has a coastline of 832 kilometers. The terrain is higher in the north and lower in the south, consisting mostly of mountains and hills.
Area: 92,391 square kilometers. This includes 91,951 square kilometers of mainland, 2,335 square kilometers of the Azores, and 796 square kilometers of the Madeira Islands. Population: 10,524,145 (2004), with over 99% being Portuguese, and the remainder including Spaniards and others. The official language is Portuguese. Over 97% of the residents are Catholic. Capital: Lisbon, with a population of 535,000 (1999). Cabo da Roca, west of Lisbon, is the westernmost point of Europe.
The Atlantic coast of the southern Algarve province in summer, as well as the Azores (Açores) and Madeira Islands (Madeira) in the Atlantic southwest of Lisbon, are famous summer vacation resorts. Local maps and travel guides can be obtained at any travel agency in Portugal, and city tour and shopping maps are available in hotels of all sizes in Lisbon. However, if you are driving yourself, you will need to purchase a detailed map. Roads are everywhere, and you can either hitchhike or rent a car. Museums and other attractions are closed on holidays.
Portugal has rich animal and plant resources. The northern region is mainly composed of various pine and oak trees, as well as large numbers of maritime pines in coastal areas. Chestnut, linden, elm, poplar, and olive trees are also widely distributed. In addition, there are cork oaks, carob trees, almond trees, and fig trees. Wild animals include wild goats, wild boars, deer, wolves, and lynxes.
Portugal is one of the ancient countries of Europe. It became an independent kingdom in 1143. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it established numerous colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, becoming a maritime power. It was occupied by Spain in 1580 and broke free from Spanish rule in 1640. It became a British dependency in 1703. The First Republic was established in 1891. The Second Republic was established in October 1910. A military government was established in May 1926. In 1932, Salazar became Prime Minister and implemented a fascist dictatorship. On April 25, 1974, the "Armed Forces Movement," composed of middle and junior officers, overthrew the far-right regime that had ruled Portugal for over 40 years, beginning the process of democratization. In 1986, Soares was elected as the first civilian president in 60 years. In the 1987 general election, the Social Democratic Party won and formed a single-party majority government. Portugal joined the European Community in 1986.
The Portuguese love nature, flowers, and trees, and enjoy gardening. The country's flora is colorful, and even in winter, red flowers and green leaves can be seen everywhere. Drinking wine is another hobby of the Portuguese. Especially Port wine; both adults and children drink a few glasses during meals, and it is considered by the Portuguese as a tonic to restore strength. Every Christmas, the Portuguese bake an 18-inch bread, once praised by Queen Isabel, to share with everyone. The Portuguese love watching bullfights for entertainment and singing Fado, the music that best expresses the melancholy feelings of the Portuguese people. Important holidays: National Day: June 10; Republic Day: October 5.
Portugal is not large, and trains and buses are well-connected. Usually, trains are cheaper, but buses are faster, especially for short-distance travel. Train tickets are simple to purchase, and most people buy them only when they are about to board. Children under 4 travel for free, children under 12 pay half-price, and seniors over 65 pay half-price.
Visa Information: Holders of EU passports do not need any visa to enter Portugal. Citizens of Canada, New Zealand, the United States, and Australia can also stay in the country for 90 days without a visa.
Driver's License: All EU citizens' driver's licenses are valid in Portugal. Commonwealth citizens holding old-style driver's licenses need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive. Similarly, driver's licenses issued by Brazil, Switzerland, and the United States are recognized by the government; citizens of other countries need to present an International Driving Permit to drive. Portugal is a right-hand traffic country, and drivers are known for speeding.
Currency: Starting January 1, 2001, Portugal officially began issuing the Euro. One British Pound is approximately equal to 1.6 Euros, and one US Dollar is equivalent to 0.8 Euros.
Exchange: Portuguese banks handle almost all currency exchange services for a fee, and traveler's checks are widely circulated. However, it is best to bring a VISA or MasterCard, as there are 24-hour ATMs in every city.
Tipping: Tipping is very common in Portugal; about 5% to 10% of the bill is sufficient. Bargaining is allowed in some markets.
Time: Like the UK, Portugal adopts daylight saving time, which means that in summer, Portuguese time may be one hour behind European time.
Smoking: Smoking is still permitted in almost all places, except for airports. You can also smoke freely while watching matches.
Security Services: The national emergency number is 112, which is used for police, fire, and other emergencies.
Travel Safety: The areas with the highest crime rates in Portugal are around Lisbon, especially on buses, trams, at train stations, and at airports. Be extra vigilant in the old Alfama district, Santa Apolónia and Rossio train stations, Castelo de São Jorge, and Belém. Thieves sometimes pretend to have loud arguments, kick a soccer ball back and forth in crowded streets, ask for directions, pretend to perform dances, or spill things on the victim's clothes to distract them. Motorcyclists should be wary of "Good Samaritans" who are known for offering to help riders who appear to be in distress on the side of the road, only to steal their motorcycles. In general, Portugal is a healthy country suitable for travel.
